Where to Live in Houston? - Montrose Area

Roommates and best friends for life: Christi and Dustin

• Why did you choose to live at Gaslight Square Apartments? How long have you lived there?
• Dustin: We've lived there for 8 months. It was affordable and is a great location and a perk that came with it was free cable and Internet.
• What are a few things you like about the complex?
• Dustin: The management lives on site so they are easily accessible and they are constantly renovating the complex. It is close to major grocery stores like Kroger and night life entertainment. I also really like that it is close to the Metrorail, which can easily take you to downtown and all the sports arenas. So if you wanted to catch a Texans, Rockets, Aeros, and Dynamos game- you can easily do that. Oh and they have an on-sight laundry facility.
• Christi: A dollar to wash a dollar to dry! Oh and I really like the fact that it is an LGBT friendly community. It is also a very unique area of Houston because they have a lot of independently owned restaurants.
• Dustin: Also, being from Chicago I like to walk around the city a lot and just explore Houston. The Montrose area is a great place to walk around because it is very pedestrian friendly. In a two mile radius, I can walk to Downtown, Mid-town- which has lots of bars and restaurants, Hermann Park, Rice University area and the Museum District.
• What are a few things you do not like about the complex?
• Dustin: The outside is dated anddd I have low sink pressure so it makes the process of washing the dishes a little lengthy
• Christi: When you wash the dishes...
• What are your neighbors like?
• Dustin: Most of the neighbors in the complex are probably from young 20's and early 30's, single professionals. Nice people but they generally keep to themselves.
• How much does it cost to live there?
• Dustin: Splitting a two-bedroom, I pay $437.50 and that includes everything except electricity. Since you're gone most of the day the electricity is not bad- we pay around $45 a person (on an expensive month)
• If some of our future Houstonians have more questions, would you mind if they contacted you?
• Dustin: Yeah of course! They can reach me at dduncan@collegeforward.org
• Christi: Sure! Email me at cgarza@collegeforward.org

**Apartment website: http://littellproperties.gdx2.us/gaslight.html

Coach Profile- Qiji Wang

Qiji Wang is one of the newest members of College Forward- Houston. He joined the organization in January 2012 and serves as a Junior College Coach at Sterling High School.

• Where are you originally from?
• I am from Zhengzhou, China and I came to the United States when I was 14 years old. I lived in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Houston to accept a position as a Junior College Coach.
• Where did you graduate from?
• Cuny City College with a Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry
• What brought you to College Forward?
• I have always been fascinated by the South, and moving to Houston is very alluring
• What is your favorite thing about working here?
• I like the many hats that I wear. My college friends see me as a community leader. Other teachers seem me as a team captain. But most importantly, my students see me as their big brother, who is going to guide them through their college application process.
• If you could describe College Forward in 5 words, what would they be?
• I would say College Forward is all about being fun, caring, loving, responsible, and knowledgeable
• What has been your biggest accomplishment at College Forward thus far?
• My biggest accomplishment so far is gaining my students' trust and helping them apply for scholarships
• What is your favorite thing about living in Houston?
• The friendly local residents
• What is your favorite food?
• Halal chicken with rice
• What kind of music do you listen to?
• I enjoy all types of music but my favorite is country
• What is your favorite place to go in Houston?
• I love Hermann Park- very relaxing and a great place to take pictures
• Do you have any talents or hobbies?
• Photography
• What is your favorite restaurant in Houston?
• I love the food at Kim Son. It is a Vietnamese restaurant located in Chinatown
• And last not but not least- what advice would you give to future coaches?
• Introduce yourself to people who are key to your success

Coach Melba's Baby Shower



From L-R: Natalie, Melba, Xenia, Teanna


In just about a month, Coach Melba is going to give birth to the first Cofo Houston baby! Everyone in the office is excited for Melba and we wish her the best!

Here is a picture from Melba's baby shower this past Saturday. Coaches Natalie, Xenia, Teanna, and Jessica attended the event and had a great time! Thanks Melba and we look forward to meeting your beautiful baby boy.

Happy Belated Birthday to Kathy Rose!

Happy Belated Birthday to Kathy Rose!

Cofo coaches planned a secret lunch at "Club OG," also known as Olive Garden, on Friday March 9th  in honor of Kathy's birthday. We had a great time celebrating her belated birthday (Kathy's real bday is on March 3rd) and we wish her many more!! Thanks for everything Kathy Rose!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Part 2

Here are some pictures from the epic evening at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

When College Forward coaches first entered the Rodeo grounds, they were immediately greeted by the aroma coming from the food tents. This right here is a picture of a mountain of potato crisps drizzled in chili and cheese!



From L-R: Jess, Teanna, Maria

 
College coaches Jess and Teanna and VISTA member Maria immediately set out to satisfy their fried food craving. Jess tried the fried Snickers, Teanna got fried Oreos and Maria munched on a corn dog and a basket of fried Oreos too!

Native New Yorker and Junior College Coach Qiji tried the Texas sausage on a stick and some freshly squeezed lemonade.

After the coaches engorged themselves in food, they made their way into Reliant Arena to watch the Rodeo and enjoy the Blake Shelton concert! VISTA member Maria especially enjoyed the concert as she sang along to all of Blake's songs.

After the concert, coaches Dustin and Xenia and VISTA member Harry decided to check out the carnival rides. Windsurf was one of the many rides these three tried. While Harry and Dustin loved Windsurf, Coach Xenia shut her eyes the entire time and counted down the seconds till it ended.

Dustin, Xenia and Harry ended the night at "The Hideout." The Hideout is a place for Rodeo attendees who are 21 and up that want to enjoy live music and a place where they can show off their country dance moves. These three Cofo members attempted to dance and had a good time!

Overall, the Rodeo was a blast and is definitely one of the many perks of living in Houston!

College Forward Mini Road Trip

Posing under the UT Tower!

Coach Christi and Luis touring St. Edward's



Showing their horns at the UT Stadium



This past weekend College Forward took a mini-road trip to Austin, Texas to visit The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edward's University. Eisenhower students Rosalba, Maria, and Nelson and Lee student Luis toured both campuses and later explored the ATX with their fellow coaches.

Exploring Austin was a huge highlight of the trip and the students were able to check out stores on "The Drag," eat at a local pizzeria on South Congress, enjoy delicious cupcakes from a food trailer, and dip their toes in the cool water of Barton Springs.

Enjoy some pics from the trip!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Part 1

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is something that everyone should experience in their lifetime. It is a three week event which consists of BBQ, bull riding, and concerts. This year College Forward Houston is attending the Rodeo on March 7th to see Blake Shelton! 

Most importantly the Rodeo is ALL ABOUT THE FOOD. Attendees at the Rodeo can have some of the world's best BBQ, smoked turkey legs, deep fried Oreos/Snickers/Twinkies (they are delicious), funnel cakes, and more!

Stay tuned for more pics!

College Forward Houston

2011-2012 College Forward Coaches

Welcome to the College Forward Houston page! This blog is designed to keep our applicants and new hirees in the loop about College Forward.  We will profile coaches, let you know what's going on in Houston, and hopefully give you some insight into the CoFo experience.